Battery-terminal tongs



June 19, 1928. 1,674,612

A. L. ZIMMERMAN BATTERY TERMINAL TONGS Filed March 18, 1922 @trcrua,

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Patented June 19, 1928.

UNITED STATES ALBERT L. ZIMMERMAN, OF VALPARAISO,

INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO N. S. AMSTUTZ, OF

VALPARAISO, INDIANA.

BATTERY-TERMINAL TONGS.

Application filed March 18, 1922. Serial No. 544,939.

My invention relates to improvements in battery terminal tongs and itmore especially relates to the features hereinafter pointed out in theannexed claims.

The purpose of my invention is to provide a tool that will quicklyloosen the nuts and quickly separate the connection when batteries areto be removed from automobiles etc. for recharging or repairs; thatcombines in one tool several adaptations useful for differentoperations.

\Vith these and other ends in view. I illustrate in the accompanyingdrawing such instances of adaptation will disclose the broadunderlyingfeatures without limiting myself to the specific details shownthereon or described herein.

Fig. 1 is a side view, in perspective, show ing tongs in position toremove a battery terminal.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the handle portion of the tongs when it is in aclosed position.

Fig. 3 is a plan view in section of the tongs showing the relation ofthe jaws to each other.

The quick removal of the batteries from automobiles under ordinaryconditions is quite impossible because the terminals, after being inservice, stick so tightly that it is ometimes impossible to disconnectthem with OldlIltlly means. In fact a persistence with such means. notinfrequently results in broken jars or terminals. 't'urthermore, even ifthe parts are tinally separated without injury to the jar, there isgreat danger of damaging the terminal surfaces so as to cause poorconnections thereafter.

These difliculties are entirely removed when my improved tongs are used.They enable one to loosen the clamps which hold the battery in place onthe car; to loosen the clamping nut of the battery terminal and finallymake the positive removal of the terminal the matter of only a fewmoments. The tongs comprise two handles 1 and 8 which terminate at theirupper end in forked nut removing fingers 2 and 9. At the bottom end ofthe handles 1 and 8 they are flattened at 3 and 10 so as to lie side byside. The flattened parts 3 and 10 are enlarged at 11 and 12 to formbearings for the bolt 4 which is held in place by a nut 13.

The handle 8, beyond the enlarged part 12 is formed into a goose neckshape 14 that curves sharply upward and then downward into a rounded end16. This end has a sharp point 15 which prevents its slipping off of thebattery terminal 17. The other handle 1 has a right-angled toe 6 formedwith an offset 5 which clears the enlarged part 12 of the handle 8. Thistoe ends relatively sharp into concave forward edge 7 curved toapproximate the diameter of the battery terminal 17. It is made sharp toeasily pass into the narrow space between the battery top and theremovable connecting terminal head 18 while the point 15 is inengagement with the battery terminal 17.

In this position a movement of the handles toward each other will alsomove the point 15 toward the too 6, thus positively separating the twoterminals 17 and 18 from each other easily and quickly after theclamping nut 21 on bolt 20 is loosened by means of the wrench end 2 totake off the tension from the split projection 19 of the connectingterminal 18. The external wire is fastened to the lug 22. In replacingthe battery the bent wrench end 9 is used to tighten the battery holdingclamps, not shown. This wrench is serrated on both of its jaws while theWrench 2 is serrated on one jaw only. The latter wrench again serves tocooperate with the nut 21 in clamping the connecting terminal 18 afterit is pressed onto the taperin; battery terminal 17. It is found moreconvenient to bend the wrench 9 as shown in Fig. 2. Of course inemergencies or other contingencies the wrenches 2 and 9 are more or lessinterchangeable and I do not limit myself to the specific use that ismade of them. but I do claim the combination of these elements with theterminal remov ing jaws and the relation of the latter to each and tothe former.

The tongs are quite powerful and easily manipulated because the handlesstand at right angles to the jaws. This makes it possible to use thetongs not only on battery terminals which stand vertically but as wellon those which are assembled horizontally.

It has been demonstrated after prolonged use that the extreme points ofthe flattened jaw 6 on account of their small area are bent down to suchan extent as to make it difficult to enter the jaw 6 between theshoulder of the battery post, not shown, and the terminal 18, in whichcase the elimination of concave end 7 is found to be an advantage. Thiselimination leaves the front of the jaw 6 straight in the shape of asharp chisel edge which will always enter any narrow spaces foundbetween the battery post shoulder and the terminal 18.

What I claim is 1. In battery terminal tongs, a pair of handles pivotedto each other, a flat chisel shaped extension to one of the handlesprojecting ap in'oximately at right angles to the handle in twodirections, an upwardly projecting reverse curved extension to the otherhandle. and a conical termination at the end of the curved extension.

2. In battery terminal tongs, suitable handles pii'oted together nearone end. an ottset jaw projecting from one handle approXimately at rightangles in two directions, an upwardly projecting reverse curve extensionfrom the other handle projecting approximately in line with the centerof the lower jaw, a sharp pointed end at the terminus of such extension,and means for pivoting the handles to each other.

8. In battery terminal tongs, suitable hen dles having enlargedflattened bearing surfaces near one end, a pivot pin for holding thesesurfaces in engagement with each other, a transverse and sidewiseprojection from the one handle below the pivot, and an upwardlyextending reversed curve projection of the other handle terminatingabove the pivot center.

4. In battery terminal tongs, suitable handles having enlarged bearingsurfaces near one end and their other end terminating in adjacentlyposition-ed serrations, pivotal means tor holding the flattened bearingsur faces in engagement with each other, a transverse and sidewiseprojection from the one handle below the pivot. and an upwardlyextending reversed curve projection of the other handle terminatingabove the pivot center.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ALBERT L. ZIMMERMAN

